Gironde Wildfires Unearth Hundreds of WWII Munitions in Le Porge
Heat from a catastrophic forest fire in southwest France triggered the detonation of over 400 forgotten wartime shells. The discovery came as residents returned to find 180 homes destroyed by the blaze.
Key takeaways
- Over 400 French and German WWII shells were discovered in Le Porge after being triggered by extreme wildfire heat.
- More than 180 homes were destroyed in the Gironde region during a fire that lasted approximately 10 days.
- The 42,000 hectares burned in southwest France mark one of the largest fire events since the end of the Second World War.
Hidden Arsenals Trigger Explosions
As firefighters battled a 10-day blaze in the Gironde region, the heat unearthed a dangerous legacy of the Second World War. Authorities in the village of Le Porge discovered a cache of 400 munitions, including French and German mortar rounds and anti-tank shells, previously buried and forgotten. Mayor Martial Zaninetti reported hearing over 100 blasts on the fire's second night, initially mistaking the sound for rupturing gas cylinders. He noted that projectiles flew in multiple directions, with one shell even piercing a local residence.
Evacuation and Reconstruction
The scale of the disaster has left a significant mark on the community. While the fire is now under control, the toll includes the destruction of more than 180 houses. Families have begun returning to inspect the ruins, though demining experts have restricted access to several zones. Mayor Zaninetti confirmed through social media that La Jenny, a local campsite, and beach access points remain closed due to safety concerns. French Prime Minister Sebastien Le Cornu praised emergency responders for their resilience during what he termed an unprecedented crisis.
The Scope of the Regional Crisis
The fire in southwest France represents a major environmental catastrophe within a broader European context. Key statistics from the incident include:
- 42,000 hectares of land scorched in the southwest region alone.
- 330,000 people evacuated across France and Spain during the two-week heatwave.
- One of the largest forest fires recorded in France since the 1940s.
Specialized demining teams continue to sweep the charred terrain to ensure no further unexploded ordnance remains active near residential areas. The event has forced local officials to acknowledge the presence of historical ammunition depots that were completely absent from modern municipal records.
Source: BBC — World
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